The cycling calendar's first big race, the Tour de Flanders took place yesterday with more than its fair share of incidents and accidents. Early in the race a New Zealand rider was knocked from his bike by an overtaking team car and suffered a broken collar bone. "He was unable to continue". Then French favourite Sylvain Chavanel was thrown to the ground when his team director's car alongside him was crashed into by a following vehicle. "He was surprised but unhurt".
60 kilometers from the finishing line the riders were passing under one of the inflatable bridges used to mark various points in the race when it started to deflate. "They had just enough room to get under".
Final mishap: on the podium to present the winner, Alexander Kristoff, with his prize, a bottle of champagne exploded. "His son was frightened by the noise".
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